08/18/2026
in 1920, the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, granting women the right to vote. Today marks the 106th anniversary of this monumental moment in American history.
DAR member Febb Ensminger Burn played a pivotal role in its passage. Her son, Congressman Harry T. Burn, was prepared to vote against the amendment, and the outcome hinged on his decision. Just before the vote, he received a letter from his mother urging him to change course: "Hurrah, and vote for suffrage!" she wrote, encouraging him to "be a good boy" and vote in favor at the last minute.
The next day, Congressman Burn cited his mother's advice in a speech explaining his decision to vote in favor, securing ratification and forever changing the course of American history.